PNG’s James Marape sworn in for second term as PM

He reiterates his pledge to make Papua New Guinea the ‘richest black Christian nation on Earth’.

James Marape addresses parliament on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has been sworn in for a second term, after an election hit by violence and alleged corruption that also ended a five-year absence of women in parliament.

Mr Marape won support from a majority of members in the ­Pacific island nation’s newly elected parliament.

In a wide-ranging first speech to the new parliament, Mr Mar­ape on Tuesday reiterated his pledge to make PNG the “richest black Christian nation on Earth” and welcomed the unanimous parliamentary vote that secured his leadership.

“We are one, one people, one country, one nation,” he said.

“And I just want to appreciate the fact that, today, the parliament came in total unison.”

Addressing concerns – raised by commonwealth election observer teams – over bribery allegations and missing names from voter rolls, Mr Marape also flagged a review of polling.

“We must reform our electoral processes,” he said.

“It is evident that maintaining the status quo on this is no longer an option.”

Among the newly elected members were Rufina Peter and Kessy Sawang, the first female candidates confirmed to have ­secured a seat in parliament.

Their victories marked a return of women to national politics after none won seats in the previous election in 2017.

It is a “proud moment,” said Peter O’Neill, leader of the ­People’s National Congress – of which Ms Peter is a member.

“Our mothers, girls and women in PNG and, in fact, the whole Pacific region have a true champion, an experienced woman in parliament,” said Mr O’Neill, Mr Marape’s predecessor as prime minister.

Voting ended on Friday but the count is still under way for some seats. About 10,000 police, army and corrections services personnel were mobilised for the vote, and Australia sent more than 100 troops.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy congratulated Mr ­Marape on his election victory.

“We have supported the PNG government to conduct the elections, including for our partner with the PNG police and the PNG Defence Force,” Mr Conroy told ABC radio on Wednesday. “We stand ready to provide further support in future elections if it’s needed.

“But ultimately, we are delighted that the democratic process has been concluded and we congratulate Prime Minister Marape.

“The violence and loss of life was sad and tragic, absolutely.”